When is it particularly important to monitor liver function tests?

Monitoring liver function tests is particularly important during antifungal therapy, especially with azoles, because these antifungal agents can have significant hepatotoxic effects. Azoles, such as fluconazole and itraconazole, are known to affect liver enzymes and can cause elevations in liver transaminases. This is crucial because liver function is essential for the metabolism of many drugs, and compromised liver function may lead to increased drug toxicity or ineffective treatment.

By closely monitoring liver function tests during treatment, healthcare providers can promptly identify any liver-related complications and adjust therapy as necessary to ensure patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness. This proactive approach helps in minimizing risks associated with potential liver damage that can occur during antifungal treatment.

In contrast, monitoring liver function tests is less critical before starting antiviral therapy, after completing antibiotic therapy, or when treating bacterial infections, as these scenarios generally do not pose the same level of risk for liver toxicity associated with azole antifungals.